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More direct flights to NMI seen
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Posted on Feb 12 2001
Ports Authority Executive Director Carlos H. Salas on Friday said negotiations are underway with officials of existing carriers for possible additional flights in the Northern Marianas, in efforts to bring in more tourists to the islands.
Mr. Salas explained that this has been a continuing effort on the part of the ports authority to help the Commonwealth improve its present economic status and revive the tourism industry.
This, as CPA Deputy Director Regino M. Celis disclosed that Japan Air System was given airport regulations and documents on airline incentive program to clearly present the ports authority’s relentless drive to lure airline companies to serve CNMI.
He said JAS will be flying in at least 260 passengers from Hanida, Japan for its Feb. 16 and 18 chartered flights.
JAS Traffic Supervisor Yasuhiro Tejima discussed possible regular Hanida-Saipan flights with Mr. Celis last week after last minute discussion on the initial Hanida-Saipan chartered flights.
In addition to this, Continental Micronesia expressed confidence that the initial two-month Osaka-Saipan flights will receive positive response from travelers.
According to Continental Micronesia Station Manager Ivan Quichocho, Continental will be flying four times to Saipan for February and March to bring in Japanese tourists while April-slated Nagoya-Saipan flights will have seven flights a week.
Mr. Quichocho admitted that Continental Micronesia had seen the worst number of travelers bound for Saipan in the past years following the economic crisis that gripped Japan during the Asian financial upheavals three years ago.
But since the economy is slowly recovering, Japanese are starting to travel again out of Japan and this will be a great chance for the CNMI government to promote Saipan, Tinian and Rota to the tourists, Mr. Quichocho explained. (EGA)
